David Paskin

BIOGRAPHY

David Paskin, or Rabbi David as he is known by his congregants, is an accomplished spiritual leader, singer/songwriter, entertainer and award-winning Jewish educator. For more than a decade, David has served as full-time Spiritual Leader of Temple Beth Abraham in Canton, Massachusetts.

A graduate of Brandeis University (1993) and the Academy for Jewish Religion (2002), David has been working in the Jewish world for over fifteen years teaching at various religious schools, day schools, and camps around the country. In the Boston area, David has served as Music and Judaics Director of Grossman Camp, and as Judaic Studies Coordinator of the Rashi School of Greater Boston. Currently, David makes regular visits to share his music and learning with the South Area Solomon Schechter Day School in Norwood, MA.

David has taught and performed at a number of conferences including the Shefa Network, CAJE, the National JEA Convention, the UAHC Biennial, the United Synagogue Biennial, and USY International Convention. His presentations have focused on prayer and spirituality, Jewish music, and formal and informal Jewish education.

In addition to his congregational work, David has taught prayer, music and rabbinics at the Academy for Jewish Religion – a pluralistic rabbinic and cantorial school in Riverdale, NY, taught the “Makom Kadosh” class of the Delet/MAT program at Brandeis University and currently serves as Jewish chaplain at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. David is a past-President and current Vice-President of Communications for the Association of Rabbis and Cantors; past-President of the Canton Clergy Association and a past trustee on the Board of Directors and current member of the Advisory Council of the National Brain Tumor Society.

Along with his bands Rock Tov and Shirav David has become known as the “Rock n’Roll Rabbi” and has produced five albums of contemporary Jewish music, which are sold by major distributors of Jewish music across the country. His music is a mix of joyful, upbeat tunes and moving liturgical compositions. David’s music is used around the country in religious schools, camps, synagogues and homes. In addition to his Jewish music, in 2004, David produced a cd single entitled, So We Ride in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Brain Tumor Society’s Ride for Research.

With talented musician and singer/songwriter, Lisa Yves, David has created a new musical and spiritual endeavor entitled, Shabbat Unplugged. By borrowing powerful tunes and niggunim from other Jewish musicians in addition to writing many new tunes himself, David has creating a creative and contemporary, yet traditionally-minded Shabbat evening musical experience.

Taking advantage of all that the internet has to offer, David has also become the “World Wide Reb.” David offers weekly and monthly “Rebcasts” on timely Jewish topics. David’s rebcasts are available at www.worldwidereb.com on iTunes, YouTube and other online video sites.

In addition to the Keter Torah Award, David has been recognized by the South Area Solomon Schechter Day School (2009), The National Brain Tumor Society (2008), The Hellenic Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (2008), Ordinary Heroes Hall of Fame (2007), Synagogue Council of Massachusetts (2007), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (2005), Boy Scouts of America (2005), South Area Solomon Schechter Day School (2004), Boston JCC Maccabi Games (2004), Temple Beth Abraham (2003), State Senate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (2002), Grossman Camp (2001), Temple Shalom of Milton (1996).

After the loss of his second daughter, Liat Chanina, David and his wife Heather founded the Liat Chanina Foundation, a non-profit foundation dedicated to creating and sustaining opportunities for hope and healing. David currently lives with his wife Heather, his daughters Dalia, Ayelet, Naomi and the memory of his beloved daughter Liat (z’l) in Sharon, Massachusetts.

MUSIC

David Paskin's sixth full-length recording is an upbeat, joyful celebration of Jewish prayer. Fusing folk, rock and klezmer, David, with master producer, Crit Harmon, has given new life to traditional Jewish prayers.

Give a Little Back is about stopping to recognize this awesome gift we’ve been given which we call home. We’re so busy trying to get ahead and make progress, we hardly ever stop to seen where we are, and how lucky we are to be here.

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